Why Staying Secure Online With A VPN Is Important

By Instash

Published 09:47 am

Stay Secure Online With A VPN

Internet security is extremely important, especially in today’s modern world, when so many of us share, post, and conduct our financial business online. Think about how much of your life you actually conduct online and how much information you actually share. It can be scary to think about, but necessary when considering how to keep yourself protected. Whether that’s on your mobile phone, laptop, or desktop, staying safe and secure online is vital, ensuring that your identity and details are kept under wraps. But how do we do it?

What Is A VPN?

VPN stands for ‘virtual private network’. You might not have heard about it before because it isn’t that widely known, but it should be. When working on your devices, whether that’s through your smartphone or laptop, you might consider using a public Wi-Fi network in order to send emails or log on to your online banking. This can be dangerous, as that public network can be easily hacked or traced by other people on the network, providing them with easy access to your emails, shopping accounts, bank details, and so much more. Remember, even when you are in a well-known public place, some clever people will name public Wi-Fi networks as ‘McDonalds_Free_Wifi’ to lure you in, which then gives them the means to access your information. It’s incredibly difficult to know which networks are real and which ones are not.

How Does A VPN Work?

A VPN allows to you hide and mask your IP (internet protocol) address, so that any activity you conduct is undetectable to hackers. This private network then allows you to conduct your activity safely, encrypting your connection, and even giving you great security than if you were on your own Wi-Fi at home. Although VPNs aren’t perfect and can be hacked, as most systems can be, they are an added layer of protection to your devices that ensures

So Why Do I Need A VPN?

You’re probably asking yourself this question because you know that a VPN will come at a cost. And rightly so, we all want great deals. However, what we don’t want is our data stolen, bank details hacked, and identity theft to occur, which are direct consequences of not protecting your information when on a public network. Keeping your data encrypted via a VPN will enable you to carry on utilising public Wi-Fi without fear that someone else on that network can easily hack into your information. Think about how often you use public networks, that don’t require a password, whether that’s in a coffee shop, an airport, or the train, there are plenty of places where your data is susceptible to hackers.

It’s also a good idea to invest in a VPN if you regularly visit other countries that don’t allow you to surf certain websites. A VPN can ensure you can access these sites whether you are. You may also wish to employ a VPN if you want to:

Access sites and stream videos whilst travelling

Hide what you’re searching for

Downloading files

Appear as if you’re searching from another country or location

How To Choose The Right VPN For You

It can be difficult to choose which VPN provider is the right one for you. Because this is new technology, companies can sometimes fail at protecting your data, and they really shouldn’t have access to your data at all. Picking a notable company with a strong background in data security is a must. To check how well a company runs their VPN system, see whether they use the most recent protocol, whether or not they set data limits, if you can use the VPN on more than one device, if the company stores your data, and whereabouts their data centres are located. This last point is particularly important if you want people to think you’re searching from different locations; if the VPN company doesn’t have servers in that location, then you won’t be able to prove it.

How To Get A VPN

If you’ve landed on this article, it’s more than likely that you’re considering buying a VPN, but don’t know where to start. If you’re a tech whizz, then you could even build your own VPN server, but it’s unlikely that the vast majority of people will be able to do this. Alternatively, you can visit a range of different websites who offer VPNs, check they have the VPN client for your computer system, and then it’s just a case of downloading and away you go. Keep an eye out for free trials, so you can test each VPN to see which one suits your needs the most.

Are There Any Disadvantages To Using A VPN?

A VPN might actually be illegal in your country, so make sure you do your research! If a country is willing to ban certain websites, then they’re more than likely to ban a system (such as VPN) that will allow you to access those websites.

You might also find that your network connectivity isn’t that great whilst using a VPN or that it slows down dramatically. This is particularly the case with free VPN services, rather than paid for ones. VPNs can also affect your mobile phone connection too.

Make sure you read the terms and conditions of your data agreement with your VPN provider. Some companies might even use your data without telling you – but may have outline this within the initial contract. Do you research and read everything carefully before signing up. Although your data shouldn’t be accessed or stored by the VPN company, if they are contacted by law enforcement, believe use, they’ll be able to access what they need to.

Remember to do your reading and research before committing to a VPN agreement. Although having a VPN is better than simply using public Wi-Fi networks, they do come with their own risks and disadvantages, so it’s important to find the one that suits your needs.